Eddie Hearn has revealed the 'real reason' why Anthony Joshua is fighting Jake Paul.
Joshua is set to return to action against Paul in a professional heavyweight fight in Miami on December 19.
It will be his first appearance since his devastating knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last year and undergoing elbow surgery.
People within the 36-year-old's camp are viewing the star fighter's bout against Paul as a tune-up before potentially facing Tyson Fury in 2026 after Turki Alalshikh mapped out a route to the all-British showdown.
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And, according to Hearn, Joshua's fight against 'The Problem Child' is also a chance for him to boost his profile in the United States given the fight is being broadcast on Netflix.
Joshua has a media rights deal with DAZN but has been allowed to fight on Netflix, who aired Paul's fight against Mike Tyson.
60 million households watched the Paul vs. Tyson fight live around the world, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams.
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Joshua's fight against Paul won't reach those numbers but he will be exposed to the biggest audience of his legendary career, given many of his big fights have been on pay-per-view.
Speaking to Ring Magazine, Hearn said: "We can't quite believe that it's happening. Even when we got approached about it... when I was talking to AJ, we were like, 'surely not'.
"How can we turn it down? We received an offer and it was a huge amount of money and it's an easy night's work, so why not?"
Asked if it's right to question Joshua's career trajectory after taking a fight against Paul, Hearn replied: "No, because we know what the plan is for next year and we've already committed to that.
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"If we didn't have a conversation or an agreement with Turki Alalshikh to fight in February, then fight Tyson Fury, then yeah, maybe. This is just literally run us out in December... make a pile load of money.
"Also, don't underestimate what this will do for our profile, particularly in the US as well. And then back to it.
"Do you know what I mean? And by the way, if there wasn't anything next year, I'd still get him to take it. But AJ's very motivated for the big fights.
"He's very motivated to try and become a world champion. But this is just an opportunity you just can't turn down."
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Joshua thanked DAZN for letting him fight Paul as he plans to return to the platform next year.
"Shoutout @DAZNboxing for letting me take this opportunity," he wrote on X. "I’ll be back on their platform in 2026."
The former world heavyweight champion has had just one fight in America during his glittering pro career.
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He fought Andy Ruiz Jr. at New York City's iconic Madison Square Garden.
Joshua will be hoping for a different outcome against Paul after suffering a shock defeat to Ruiz Jr. in 2019.
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul, Eddie Hearn, Boxing
Nasir Jabbar